Review: Two New Books for New Knitters

Both of these books arrived on my doorstep at almost the same time and since they seemed to compliment each other so well, they’re sharing a review.

First, the facts:

Title:All About Knitting

Author: (None given)

Published by: Martingale Press, 2013

Pages: 191

Type: How-to and Patterns

The In-Depth Look:

This review copy was kindly donated by Martingale Press. Thank you!

First, the facts:

Title:Learn to Knit, Love to Knit

Author: Anna Wilkinson

Published by: Potter Craft, 2013

Pages: 144

Type: How-to and Patterns

This review copy was kindly donated by Potter Craft. Thank you!

Both these books are remarkably similar.

They’re both how-to books for new knitters.

They both give basic instructions about techniques ranging from casting-on through color-work and cables.

They both supplement the instructions with patterns for projects–bags, hats, sweaters, gloves, and so on.

They both have project patterns that are simple–not too scary for a new knitter–but interesting enough to challenge them with the new techniques learned along the way.

They both have good illustrations for the techniques as well as photographs of the projects.

Really–remarkably similar. “Learn to Knit, Love to Knit” interweaves the how-to throughout the book so that you could theoretically work your way through from page one until the end, learning as you go. “All About Knitting,” on the other hand, front-loads all the technique instruction at the beginning of the book and groups the patterns together later on. It also includes a small stitch gallery of 40 stitch patterns at the end.

Both books seem to have well-written instructions and are clearly designed by people who enjoy knitting and want to share it (though only “Learn to Knit, Love to Knit” comes with an author’s name on it).